Kenny Dalglish heaps praise on Liverpool after the Reds reached their second cup final this season with victory over Everton

Kenny Dalglish described reaching the FA Cup final as a “fantastic” achievement after Liverpool came from behind to beat Everton in their last four clash at Wembley on Saturday.

Nikica Jelavić capitalised on confusion between Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher to give Everton a first half lead with the Croatian striker calmly slotting past Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper Brad Jones.

Luis Suárez levelled for the Reds in the 62nd minute as the Uruguayan intercepted Sylvain Distin’s underhit backpass to Tim Howard before Andy Carroll score a dramatic headed winner with four minutes remaining.

“I think the players that were out there – and the players that have made a contribution throughout the whole run in the FA Cup – have been fantastic for the football club,” said Dalglish.

“Their attitude, application and intent in getting that positive result from today’s game was there for everybody to see.

“Whether it’s deserved or not, people are going to have their own opinion on it – but everything needed to win a football game, we showed today as a team.”

The Liverpool boss added: “They really never needed much [during the half-time teamtalk], we just pointed them in the right direction.

“They wanted to win the game. They’d got this far and wanted to go a step further.

“We started the game well, Everton scored and came into it, and then we picked up again just after half-time.

“As a group of players, and as a football club, I think it was fantastic.

“Although it’s not been too good over the past few weeks in the league, that is now two cup finals this season – one we’ve won and the other one we’re now looking forward to.